Mrs. Calverley's looks rather discouraged him.
“I must be allowed to consider THe matter, Mr. Brook,” she replied. “My late husband entrusted his daughter entirely to my care, and I cannot allow an engagement to take place unless I feel sure it would conduce to her happiness.”
“But this would not amount to an engagement, my dear madam, though it might lead to one—at least, I hope so.”
“It will be best to come to a clear understanding at first, Mr. Brook. I think it right to say that I see no objection to you. You have many agreeable personal qualities, and are unexceptionable in regard to family, but I am not exactly aware of your expectations.”
Vernon Brook's dark cheek coloured, and he rather hesitated. He was not prepared for such a point-blank question.
“I am a younger son, as you are aware, Mrs. Calverley,” He said; “and, like most younger sons, my expectations are not very great.”
“I may as well speak frankly, Mr. Brook,” she rejoined. “He who aspires to Miss Calverley's hand must bring a corresponding fortune. He must have a thousand a year, or a prospect of it.”
“I am sorry to say I have neither the one nor the other, but I hope my want of fortune may not be a bar. I think we could be very happy together.”
“Possibly; but the days of romantic marriages are over, and only exist in novels. I have dealt with you very fairly, Mr. Brook. Miss Calverley, as I have said, was left to my care by her father, and I shall act for her as he would have acted.”
“But I have reason to believe Mr. Calverley would not have made it a sine qua non that a suitor to his daughter should be a man of property.”